The Exotic Pet Vet Blog
You plan an exotic, or perhaps not so exotic, getaway for you and your family. Tickets are booked, hotel plans are made, then you are stuck with the question – what do I do with my beloved exotic pet? Some owners bring in a pet sitter who will come twice a day to visit, feed and clean their pet in their home. While there are benefits to having someone come to your house when you’re away, a lot can happen to your pet during the hours the sitter is not there. Another option is to bring your pet to the…
Do Hedgehogs Have Quills?
Do hedgehogs have quills? Yes. Every hedgehog is covered in thousands of sharp, hollow spines, which are technically modified hairs made of keratin, the same protein found in human fingernails.…
Hedgehogs as Pets: What You Need to Know
Do hedgehogs make good pets? They can, for the right owner. Hedgehogs are quiet, tidy, and fascinating to watch, but they are nocturnal, solitary animals with specific needs for warmth,…
Hamster Eye Infection: Treatment and Prevention
What causes an eye infection in hamsters? Most cases trace back to bacteria that invade after an irritant or injury, such as dusty bedding, a scratch from a tunnel, or…
Wet Tail in Hamsters: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Wet tail in hamsters is a serious bacterial infection of the intestines that causes watery diarrhea, soaked and matted fur around the tail and hindquarters, and rapid decline. It is…
Are Hamsters Nocturnal? What Pet Owners Should Know About Hamster Sleep
Are hamsters nocturnal? Yes. More precisely, hamsters are crepuscular and nocturnal, which means they wake at dusk, stay busy through the early night, and sleep through most of the daylight…
Are Ferrets Rodents?
No, ferrets are not rodents. Despite their small size, whiskered faces, and love of tunnels, ferrets belong to the order Carnivora, which makes them relatives of otters, badgers, and weasels…
What Causes Adrenal Disease in Ferrets? Risk Factors and Warning Signs
Veterinarians believe adrenal disease in ferrets develops from several overlapping factors rather than a single trigger, with early spay or neuter surgery, long hours of artificial light, and genetics named…
How to Care for a Ferret
Learning how to care for a ferret comes down to three big habits: feed a meat-based diet, provide a roomy and secure home base, and schedule regular visits with an…
Are Pet Rabbits High Maintenance? What Daily Life Really Looks Like
Are pet rabbits high maintenance? Learn what daily care, costs, and vet visits involve from Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics in Bedford Hills, NY.
Rat Tumor Removal: When to See an Exotic Animal Vet
When is rat tumor removal needed? Surgery is usually considered when a lump keeps growing, breaks open, interferes with movement, or causes discomfort, and an exotic animal veterinarian decides whether…